In an incredibly dramatic moment, renowned soprano Danielle de Niese made a striking entrance onto the grand stage of London's Royal Albert Hall. The audience, consisting of 5,000 captivated individuals, eagerly awaited her performance of the electrifying opening aria from Bizet's beloved opera, Carmen.
The aria, known as "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" or more commonly referred to as the "Habanera," serves as the first introduction to the passionate title character in Bizet's opera. Carmen addresses both the on-stage suitors and the audience, proclaiming, "If you won't love me, then I'll love you. And if I do love you, you'd best beware!"
The "Habanera" has achieved legendary status among operatic compositions, and De Niese had the honor of performing it at the Classic FM Live event in April. This spectacular celebration of opera featured the English National Opera Orchestra and Chorus accompanying her.
For De Niese, a lyric soprano making her classical concert debut in this role, the entrance had to be suitably dramatic. And she certainly fulfilled that expectation. In a backstage interview with Classic FM's Myleene Klass prior to the concert, De Niese revealed, "I hesitated to sing the 'Habanera' from Carmen for a long time." She continued, "My fans would tell me that Carmen is perfect for me, but I would think, well, I'm not a mezzo, so I'm not sure if I'll ever sing it." However, fate intervened, and De Niese was asked to perform the role. From that moment, she was instantly captivated by the allure of Carmen.
She exclaimed, "I thought, Oh my God. Now I have to do Carmen!" This performance at Classic FM Live marked the first time she had sung the role, as she had never previously performed it on stage.
In addition to the "Habanera," De Niese delighted the audience with other remarkable pieces during the concert. She performed Agustín Lara's "Granada," Patrick Cassidy's "Vide Cor Meum," and a duet of Verdi's Drinking Song ("Libiamo ne lieti calici") with baritenor Michael Spyres, showcasing her incredible talent and versatility.
